At what point is a disciple made?

[Dennis M. Scott]

Just wondering if we think differently about making a disciple than getting someone saved, particularly in light of our directive to make disciples. When has a disciple been "made"?

[Jay Stiegelmeyer]

That's an interested question for reflection. I think making disciples is a "train the trainer" operation. In other words, we are to make disciples who make disciples.

[Scott Hilton]

What exactly is a "discipler" ? Is it one person or a body of people? I guess maybe it could be both depending on circumstance. These things have kind of been rotating my brain lately after hearing Rick Rigsby speak at District Assembly. He said something that stuck with me;Who are you discipling and who is discipling you? It seems he feels both are continual, which I tend to agree with. After all, it is all relational.

I think I asked more questions on that response than anything, sorry Dennis.

blessings

[Billy Cox]

That's an interested question for reflection. I think making disciples is a "train the trainer" operation. In other words, we are to make disciples who make disciples.

I reject that metaphor because:

1. Paul and the 12 didn't take Jesus' instructions and start a multi-level marketing organization.

2. It reduces discipling to something other than living the life of Christ in community. Not every Christian is going to be a 'trainer'. Does that mean that they are not fully obedient to the great commission?

[Jay Stiegelmeyer]

We are all called to make disciples and the disciples we make are also called to make more disciples...that's part of being a disciple, right? Maybe you just don't like the phrase "train the trainer". But, I have another friend who doesn't like the phrase "disciples making disciples" because it sounds too 'religious'. However you want to phrase it, that's what we are called to do, in my opinion.

[Scott Hilton]

I think we need a working definition of what "disciple" and "trainer" mean in this discussion, we seem to be quibbling about labels with no context involved.

[Ryan Scott]

I like the question and I think Scott's answer was brilliant. Discipling takes place within a community of people committed to each other. When we try to break it down into specific individual actions we lose some of the power.

I also think the extremely tight focus on "making disciples" can get us off track. Our primary call as Christians is not to make disciples; our primary call is to be disciples. Granted, a major part of that is being involved in a discipling community, where everyone learns from each other under the common goal of becoming for Christlike.

I'm not sure discipleship is ever completed. Even when we're all with Jesus, I hope I can continue to grow in relationship with him.

[William Hunter]

Since becoming a disciple, like Jesus, is a life-long process, being a trainer is nothing more than helping others find what you have found--and then searching together for more growth in Christ. I think we too often try to give too much structure to things that are simple. The more complex we make a thing, the more likely it is that it will not get done.

[Ramesh Deosarran]

One may ask the question: Who is a disciple of Christ? Jesus answers this question in Matthew, “Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (16:24).

Now the question – At what point is a disciple made? It seems like when one makes the decision to follow Christ.

The adjective “made” seem to convey the idea “goal achieved.” Although this may not be the intent of the question, it is well to recognize that discipleship in Christ has a beginning and continues throughout life.

Ramesh Deosarran